A Superstore in the Super South
Barahona, City Center
UPDATE: The opening date of the new Sirena Supermarket in Barahona is: January 30, 2024!
Check out our 2024 Barahona Grocery Guide here!
A new superstore is coming to the super south, Barahona! This is not making headlines in global news and barely in domestic news. However, this is a big deal for the south of the Dominican Republic.
Why is a new store a big deal for Barahona?
Pedernales: The New Punta Cana
If you follow the tourism news in the Dominican Republic, you may have heard that the southwesternmost town, Pedernales, is getting a major overhaul. Pedernales is home to Bahia de las Aguilas among other natural treasures, and developers have taken notice. There are plans to turn the small border town and the surrounding area of Cabo Rojo into the new Punta Cana. This area will be forever changed with the addition of an international airport, a cruise port, and all-inclusive hotels. Click here to read an in-depth article about this project in Pedernales/Cabo Rojo.
What does this have to do with a new superstore in Barahona?
Why Barahona Needs an Upgrade
Barahona has always been the gateway to the Deep South. The journey from Santo Domingo to Bahia de las Aguilas midway point is the town of Barahona. Travelers often stop in Barahona to pick up supplies, go to the bank, eat a meal, or even use it as a home base while exploring the south. Barahona is also the central town for many hundreds of thousands of people who live in the south.
The problem is that Barahona was not created to be a hub. Through the years, the population and needs of the town have grown, but the commercial and hospitality industries have lagged behind. The supermarkets are inconveniently located, small, overcrowded, and poorly stocked. As far as eateries, there are many restaurants (comedores in Barahona) but they are not well publicized or presented to visitors.
Photo credit: elCaribe
The two main grocery stores in Barahona are right across the street from each other in the busiest area of town.
What Superstore Is Coming To Barahona?
Photo credit: Sirena
Khoury Industrial, a company founded in Barahona, has announced its plan to build Plaza El Encanto. Plaza El Encanto has plans to house one of the largest supermarket chains in the Dominican Republic, Sirena. For those abroad, Sirena will remind you of a Walmart, selling groceries, home goods, clothes, and more. In addition to a Sirena, the plan will include space for bank branches, eateries, and other shops. This multi-commercial plaza will be built on the principal street entering Barahona.
According to one source, the Plaza El Encanto building project will be built between eight months and a year once it has started. If the project starts soon, that could put the opening date in late 2023.
UPDATE: The opening date of the new Sirena Supermarket in Barahona is: January 30, 2024!
Designs of plaza El Encanto by ERACRA Architect firm
Photo credit: Armario Libre
Plaza El Encanto
Photo credit: Armario Libre
The price of real estate has skyrocketed in recent years in Barahona, but there have been few improvements to warrant the increase. The addition of a store like Sirena and a shopping center like Plaza El Encanto will make traveling to and living in the south more convenient and appealing.
These new businesses will provide a large number of new jobs and bring more visitors to the area. Some may argue that this kind of big business will take away from the economy of the local community. However, it is common to see Barahoneros support the businesses they've always known and relied on. They may choose to continue supporting the local supermarkets, outdoor markets, and other stores that are well-known in the community and more centrally located within the town. Time will tell.
Stay Tuned for Updates
At Cliff and Cove, we will continue to highlight local businesses that we enjoy and hope you will visit on your next trip to or through Barahona! Subscribe to our blog or follow us on Instagram to get updates on this exciting new project.
Resources: Armario Libre, Ecosdelsur.net